April 16: COUNTENANCE OF PEACE
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Matthew 6:7
A studious young man, born in France in the early 16th century, attended one of the Paris schools. Quiet and known for his intellect and religious devotion, he was selected for an appointment to the chaplaincy of a small church at the tender age of 12! Think of Jesus at that age saying, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49) Considered a member of the clergy in good-standing, the young chaplain received a regular allowance. By college age, his genius marked him as potentially the most able defender of the Roman Catholic faith. His cousin, who had joined the Protestant Reformation, was also in Paris. Often, the two met for banter over the disturbances in Christendom. Said the cousin: “There are but two religions in the world. The one class of religions are the inventions of men, in all of which man saves himself by ceremonies and good works; the other is that one religion revealed in the Bible which teaches man to look for salvation solely from the free grace of God.”
The response of the esteemed young man: “I will have none of your new doctrines! Think you that I have lived in error all my days?”
But these conversations awakened in him thoughts which he could not banish at will. Pondering his cousin’s words, he began to see himself in the presence of a holy and just Judge without an intercessor. He became convicted of sin while realizing the powerlessness of the ceremonies and rituals to atone for that sin. The lighting of candles, praying the rosary, confessions to priests, assignments of penance, repetitious chants, mediation of dead saints, good deeds and more good deeds . . . none could reconcile his soul with God.
In those days, “heretics” were identified by their keen interest in the Scriptures, their desire to share it with others, and their faithfulness in following the written Word, including keeping the Sabbath. One day while walking the streets of Paris, the young man came upon the burning of a heretic at one of the squares. As he watched, he became captivated by the countenance of peace on the face of the one who had been pronounced eternally damned by the church. Amid the tortures of the flames, he could not help but contrast the faith and courage manifested on the martyr’s face with his own inner despair—all while living a life of total obedience to the church, just as he had been taught!
Before the return of Jesus, the world will be provided with the opportunity to gain a fully correct understanding of the Scriptures, including the Sabbath. It will likely be the last restoration in the cleansing of the sanctuary (see Daniel 8:14 and Revelation 14:6-7), in order that Christ’s role as the only Creator (Source of life) and the only Redeemer (Re-Creator of life) may be clearly understood and accepted.
Jesus said, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men . . . all too well you reject the commandment of God that you may keep your tradition.” Mark 7:6-9 (see also Isaiah 29:13)
Dig deep: Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11; 31:13-18; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Isaiah 56:4-6; 58:12-14; 66:23; Ezekiel 20:12,20; Matthew 12:1-14; Mark 6:2; Luke 4:16; Acts 13:14, 26-27,42,44; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4; Hebrews 3:18-4:11